Participants in the Congress were shocked and saddened by the demise of one of the delegates, Comrade Ghughali Prasad, during the Congress. He had been ill but had insisted on attending the Congress, overruling the advice of his family. He was taken ill during the Congress, was hospitalized, but passed away in the hospital. He was 64.

Grieving delegates, observers and guests bid him a tearful farewell, with CPI(ML) General Secretary Comrade Dipankar wrapping a red flag around his body. The delegates from Siwan took his body back to Siwan where thousands of people bid him a final farewell. Comrade Ghughali was from a landless family. He was drawn to the struggle against feudal forces, and he became a whole-timer in 1982. He was a good organizer and an inspiring speaker, and also a singer. He was a member of the partys district committee and its standing committee, and secretary of the Daraunda area committee. He resisted Brahminical culture and set an example in his own family life. He was a bold and consistent fighter against the reign of criminal mafia terror in Siwan.

Red Salute to Comrade Ghughali Prasad!